The Name of Jesus

Over the past two thousand years, more people on planet earth have known the name of Jesus than any other name. Since AD 33, over eight billion people, by one estimate, have claimed to be followers of this Jesus — or Jésus or Isus or whatever the Christ is called in your language. Billions more have heard of His name. Today, the name of Jesus can be found in more than six thousand languages, and more are being added every year.

On the one hand, it’s strange that this single name has dominated the past two thousand years of world history, especially Western history. For most of us, the name Jesus has a sacred ring to it; it sounds holy and divine. But this wasn’t the case when Mary and Joseph followed the angel’s instructions and gave their baby His name. Granted, it had a special meaning, but it was not an unusual name. The first-century Jewish historian Josephus mentions at least twelve different people he knew with the name Jesus, including four high priests. In Acts 9, we read of the Jewish false prophet, Bar-Jesus. In Colossians 4, Paul mentions one of his fellow workers, Jesus, called Justus. And some ancient manuscripts of the gospel of Matthew refer to the robber released by Pilate as Jesus Barabbas, which can be translated, ironically enough, “Jesus, son of the father.”

Jesus was a common name, like Jim, John, or Jerry. When Mary and Joseph called their son Jesus, there were no prayers in His name. No one used it as a swear word. No one sang songs about this name, just as there is no religion I am aware of that sings songs to Jim (except for fans of Jim Croce, who know that he’s not to be messed around with). We don’t name our sons John with the expectation that eight billion people will pray in that name over the next two thousand years. We don’t croon, “Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, there’s just something about that name.”

But common as the name was, Jesus was named “Jesus” by design. In Greek, it is Iēsous; in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, Yesu. Both are derived from the Hebrew, in which the name is Yeshua or Joshua. Joshua is made up of two parts: Ya, which is short for Yahweh, and hoshea, which means “salvation.” Hence, Mary and Joseph gave their little baby the name Jesus — “Yahweh saves.”

That He does. Ever since the first Christmas, Jesus has been more than just a name. It’s been our only comfort in life and in death, our only hope in a hopeless world. When you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, you have life in His name (John 20:31). There is, in fact, no other name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved (Acts 4:12). So, naturally, whatever we do, in word or deed, we ought to do in the name of the Lord Jesus (Col. 3:17). “God ha s h ighly exa l ted him a nd bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9–11).

But let’s be clear: the name of Jesus is not a magic wand. Chanting it does not give one special powers. The power in the name is the person behind the name. In biblical times, names meant something. They were more than badges of identification. They often told others who you were and what purpose God had for your life. Thus, Adam was the first man. Eve was the mother of all living things. Abraham was the father of many nations. Benjamin was the son of his father’s right hand. Moses was drawn out of the water. Peter was the rock. Barnabas was the son of encouragement.

What about Jesus? “And you shall call his name Jesus,” the angel told Joseph, “for he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). More than a great teacher, more than an enlightened man, more than a worker of miracles, more than a source of meaning in life, more than a self-help guru, more than a selfesteem builder, more than a political liberator, more than a caring friend, more than a transformer of cultures, more than a purpose for the purposeless, Jesus is the Savior of sinners.

“Jesus the name that charms our fears and bids our sorrows cease; ’tis music in the sinner’s ears, ’tis life and health and peace.” That’ll sing. “All hail the power of Jesus’ name! Let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all.” That’ll work, too.